Alarming number of LGBTQ+ Brits are worried they can't foster due to 'their sexuality'

A staggering percentage of LGBTQ+ Brits who want to foster a child are worried that they may not qualify "because of their sexuality".

Around 30,000 children come into care every year in the UK, according to The Fostering Network . This means that thousands of foster families are needed to support young people and provide them with a stable home from one night to several years. 

While 32% of LGBTQ+ people surveyed by Swiis Foster Care — the UK’s largest independent foster care agency — stated that they are interested in fostering a child, shockingly, 19% said they were "unsure if they would qualify because of their sexuality".

When those surveyed were asked about the myths surrounding fostering — such as relationship status, living arrangement, age, work life, unemployment and benefits — members of the LGBTQ+ community believed these myths to be true, at a consistently higher rate than those who identify as heterosexual.

With foster household availability in England facing a 1% decrease since 2022, and a 2% decrease since 2019, now is the perfect time to debunk those myths. Many foster families are actually in the LGBTQ+ community, and there are few requirements to give a child a loving home in terms of financial and living arrangements.

To foster in the UK, applicants must be over 21 years old, have a stable living environment with a spare bedroom — regardless of whether they are private renters or homeowners — have either British Citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain and have a genuine interest in providing a safe, caring home for a child.

Unfortunately, not every LGBTQ+ child in care can be placed with an LGBTQ+ family, but it’s important that every child and young person — whether they are already out, or are exploring their gender identity and sexual orientation — needs to live in a home where it’s safe for them to discuss and explore their identity freely.

"Most foster carers will accept if a child is LGBTQ+, and that is great, but we need to take this a step further," said Sarah, a foster parent, as per The Fostering Network .

"Diversity has to be a regular topic of discussion to create a safe space. It’s important to let the child know, 'You can be what you want to be and I still love you', but are you showing them what the options are? Or do they have to go out and find them?"

If you think you’d be able to provide a foster child somewhere to call home, you can find out more about fostering and the eligibility criteria at the Swiis Foster Care website .